Window: My 82nd Blog of the year 2026

Well, welcome to our readers here in New Zealand, & around the world, I'm Whetu Ngapo & you're tuning in to my KiwiAvenger blog here on blogger, but first in motor racing that our own Kiwi NASCAR driver of Shane van Gisbergen who revealed on stock car legend Kevin Harvick's show that he would've had a crack of competing in the defunct A1 GP series for A1 Team New Zealand (Which featured drivers such as Matt Halliday, Jonny Reid (Who drove the vehicle in anger since 2008 during the Repco Next Gen NZ Championship series at the Taupo International Motorsport Park (One of both Supercars Championship venues along with Euromarque Motorsport Park in Ruapuna) in Taupo), Earl Bamber, & Chris van der Drift back then as our drivers), but he preferred Supercars Championship (Back then when it was the V8 Supercars) that he always had been competing in (But he would've moved to either Europe or around the world of doing single seaters as the main option where he would've been a Formula One world champion if he had been lighter & smaller, but it was at the Australia A1 GP event at Sydney Motorsport Park (Back then it was known as Eastern Creek Raceway) where his former co-driver Alex Premat (The GP2 championship runner up 20 years ago to the future 7-time F1 world champion of British driver Lewis Hamilton (Who finally won in Barcelona-Catalunya to be on the stop step of the podium for the first time ever in Ferrari (Who haven't won since Mexico the year before with Carlos Sainz Jr at the helm behind the wheel, while the Prancing Horse were finally on the board this year (And it is reminiscent of Singapore 2023 where Ferrari were rightfully being able to end the streak of Red Bull (Who had won all but one race in the 2023 season, just like in 1988 where McLaren did) of 15 starting from Bahrain, right through until Italy), & were able to finish that incredible winning streak of the Silver Arrows of 6 in fact (Starting with Australia with George Russell (Who should've won that certain race during the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix (The first of 2 Spanish races being held along with the Madring Circuit in Madrid preparing to host the Spanish GP due in September), & ending right through in Monaco with Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Whose winning run of 5 had finally ended with his championship lead reduced or trimmed should I say to 41 (And Hamilton said that after his win in Barcelona-Catalunya that he's ruled out his bid of becoming world champion for the record 8th time therefore he begins his road to the title now), while Ferrari is trailing behind Hamilton's former constructor of Mercedes-AMG in terms of the constructors championship fight going into the next race in Austria at the Red Bull Ring which is located in Spielberg in which the first 6 races were it's been all Mercedes throughout (Antonelli won it 5 times in China, Japan, Miami, Canada, & Monaco, meanwhile Russell won it once down under in Australia) up until that point where Ferrari usurped them with Lewis at the Barcelona-Catalunya GP (Who I watched it on TV while me & Pops were at the Cobb having our dinner where I had the beef schnitzel with salad & chips) colours (And it was a repeat of 30 years ago way back in 1996 in Spain where Michael Schumacher delivered his first win for Ferrari in the treacherous but miserable conditions, & it was Hamilton's first win in Formula One since Belgium (Where Russell originally won before being stripped of his victory as a result of an underweight car) also in the year before in which the last time he won with his previous constructor Mercedes where Hamilton won 6 world championships during his tenure (While that's his 106th of his career where he is 15 ahead of the great Schumi himself, to remain as Formula One's all-time leading Grand Prix winner), in front of pole sitter & Lewis's former Mercedes teammate of George Russell (Who lost the lead during the Grand Prix when the modern day GOAT (Greatest of all-time) of Lewis effectively nailed his pit strategy during the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) intervention, en route to a famous breakthrough win (Forza Ferrari!) since he joined the constructor at the start of last year where he defected to Ferrari (The Italian racing icon) in the Mercedes-AMG, while the world champion Lando Norris in the McLaren eventually rounded out on the podium as Kimi Antonelli remains as the world championship leader ahead of Hamilton who moves up to 2nd (In that he begins his efforts of becoming the sport's historic first 8-time world champion, which is on) in front of Russell after a disastrous race where he was penalized for 5 seconds for cutting corners before he was out of the race (And our own Kiwi of Liam Lawson finished 9th in the race (Later 8th post race after one of the Alpine drivers who got penalized) a week after his best result of the season had been taken away by Pierre Gasly whose podium finish that had been reinstated after originally being given a time penalty, according to the previous story that I did on my blog) who was next to him when van Gisbergen had the natural ability to drive a open wheel car because of his talents like Lewis always does) where he left school, then SVG pursued a tech degree (He was competing in the TRS where he was runner up to Daniel Gaunt during the 2006-07 season, before making his Supercars debut back in 2007 with Team Kiwi Racing), but he did compete in single seaters such as the Toyota Racing Series (Now Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Trophy series) that he won the race in 2021 during the New Zealand Grand Prix as part of his big break.

And secondly in football (Soccer) that in the leadup to the most controversial Football (Soccer) men's World Championship that an official from Somalia who is trying to become the first ref from that country at football (Soccer's) global showpiece event, has been denied entry into the United States (And I heard reports that he's in Türkiye (One of Aunty Tan (Who visited the US last year along with Rejean just to see his sister Francine one last time (And Francine said to the both of them that they will not being seeing each other for 4 years), even right before that dreadful American leader who retook office) & possibly Rejean's fave countries to visit) somewhere recently, so he's stranded since he is unable to leave the country) due to a travel clamp down being imposed according to that current US President (But who will succeed him in 2029? Whether it's either Kamala Harris (Who lost that certain election to that US leader last time out in the year before, but well, I don't know whether she'll run again in 2028, because of her challenge against the outgoing California governor Gavin Newsom according to a text that Aunty Tan had sent to me on Messenger recently), or that shocking US vice leader himself who will be an apparent heir of the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement, but he's facing a stern challenge from the US Secretary of State of Marco Rubio (Son of Latin American immigrants) who is nominated for the Republican Party in his race of succeeding that US leader in the bid of making it to the White House) that doesn't allow Somalians into the country along with both their archenemy of Iran, & Haiti except for these players (And Iran should've played in Mexico according to Claudia Sheinbaum the Mexican president, but they still refused to do that even that they are forced to play it on US soil with security being able to guard the Iranian football (Soccer) team for the entirety of the tournament along with 47 other nations participating), meaning that the official has been shown the send off offence according to the sports news article on the Whanganui Chronicle newspaper. 

And thirdly in the cricket that the Black Caps fizzled at Lord's in Middlesex, in the first test against England (Just like our defending Olympic champions the Black Ferns 7s who fell short against our rivals of the Wallaroos 7s who claimed the SVNS women's series for the first time since 2021-22 over in Bordeaux during the women's final thinking that the Aussie women's sevens team celebrated like the England 15's women had won the women's Rugby World Cup last year on home soil, but the Aussie success in women's 7s means that it's good for rugby sevens, thinking that other sides were being able to provide the competitive edge of catching up the Kiwis who have always been dominant out there) coached by New Zealander Brendon McCullum who dominated from start to finish as part of an Ashes rebuild thanks to the nasty fasties goon squad from both Ollie Robinson who also got a 5 wicket haul during the first innings (Including 4 for 10 from 6 overs at stumps, including 3 wickets in his first over in his first test since February the year before, even though it is his comeback test where he was recalled under McCullum following their failure to bring the Ashes back home to England against Australia last Southern Hemisphere summer), & Gus Atkinson who claimed the last wicket of Matt Henry as Atkinson (Who won't play in the next test at the Oval in London over in Surrey along with their captain Ben Stokes because of them being suspended for breaking strict team curfew protocol following a drunken night out with the Saracens rugby players like England rugby team captain Maro Itoje for example, in which one of their English cricketers had a fraca with a Saracens rugby prop which was broken up by one of the England cricket team's bodyguards that let them down, thinking that New Zealand has a better chance with Stokes (Who got arrested for the crime that he committed in 2017-18 for affray, then he had a drunken night out with the English cricket team players during their last Ashes campaign which was unsuccessful at a pub in Queensland that also let them down), & Atkinson not playing as both of them being stood down for their bad conduct) picked up his 2nd fifer with a 115 run win to go 1 - 0 up in the series in that the Lord's pitch was an unsatisfying one (And the English claimed the big wicket of Kane Williamson who is in his last test of his career at Lord's by one of their English bowlers of Josh Tongue who trapped him LB right in front of the wickets that the ball would've gone on to hit it before stumps as well, then there was new test debutant of Emilio Gay who top scored 57 off 95 deliveries during the second innings where he had a dream debut over there).

And lastly the latest in the rugby in the semifinals of this years Super Rugby Pacific competition as the Chiefs have outplayed the Crusaders in an emphatic humiliation at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton thanks to a performance by one of the Chiefs players who made the difference of Damian McKenzie who had been awarded player of the game honours for his performance on the field (Even though Kyren Taumoefolau scored a double that ended the Crusaders reign of Super Rugby Pacific glory again), that sends them through to their 4th straight final, meanwhile a day later that the Hurricanes have turned the tables on the Blues in a comprehensive hiding that could've gone either way, including the 1st half that was a close one, until the Canes outgunned them by tearing them into pieces in the 2nd half which ended in sheer brilliance, & delight at Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington with hooker Asafo Aumua (Who put in a fend then bumped off a defender before he scored that try, just like Kini Naholo did in the lead up to the try that he bumped off a player up towards halfway, before passing it to Brayden Iose who passed it towards Ere Enari (One of 2 Hurricanes players along with Brad Shields who had Super Rugby title success in the past because of Enari being part of the Crusaders setup from 2017 until 2019 (He didn't play the whole 2018 season through a broken leg) between the 22 metre line with nowhere to go, then he unloaded that pass to Naholo who would gone on to score that try (While there was a double to Josh Moorby who moves to 15 for the entire season behind his Hurricanes teammate of Fehi Fineanganofo) being awarded the hero of the game where they won that sent the Hurricanes fans into a frenzy (Up the Canes!) where they won (Pops thinks that both of these matches were joint standouts, but I prefer the Hurricanes-Blues one over the Chiefs-Crusaders one with both the Chiefs & Hurricanes delivering a New York Knicks like performance) which means that the Chiefs are heading to Wellington for the grand final set to take place on Saturday, June 20th.

So it's the Hurricanes to play the Chiefs in this years Super Rugby Pacific final (And the last meeting between the two was in round 10 this year, when the Chiefs secured a certain win (It just had to be) against the Canes during Super point extra time (The scores were tied at 17 all after 80 minutes in which the match was incredibly close, as it resulted in a sudden death finish) with Wallace Sititi scored the match winning try as the crowd erupt (And the crowd has absolutely gone wild after all) after Damian McKenzie's attempt of a field goal had gone astray (Well, to start with that Sititi wasn't offside when he won the game for the Chiefs) when it was charged down), but will it be the Hurricanes co-captains of both Jordie Barrett & Du'Plessis Kirifi? (It was Dane Coles who lifted the trophy aloft for their one & only Super title a decade ago), or the Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson? (It was also both Craig Clarke, & Liam Messam who secured back to back titles, in both back in 2012, & 2013 respectively), we will find it out when the grand final takes place at the Cake Tin of Wellington Regional Stadium, in Welly of Wellington to decide who will be crowned the new Super Rugby Pacific champion (Well, who is it going to be? That is the question. Whether it's the Hurricanes who win their 2nd championship, & their first since back in 2016? Or will the Chiefs end a 13 year drought in which they haven't triumphed since also back in 2013? Time will tell, but, we'll see (These are the questions that haunt me).

So that is my 730th blog of the year 2026 (MMXXVI) & my 82nd of this year, viva Ukraine.

P.S. And the entertainment world had already been in mourning as famous British film & TV star who had a career spanning 60 years of Patrick Stewart from Star Trek: the Next Generation, & the X-Men trilogy has passed away recently, but they already sent their thoughts, prayers, & heartfelt condolences got to him, & his loved ones back in the United States over in California, rest in love.

Patrick Stewart

1940 - 2026

Picking Dragons' Pockets: My 81st Blog of the year 2026

Well, welcome to our readers here in New Zealand, & around the world, I'm Whetu Ngapo & you're tuning in to my KiwiAvenger blog here on blogger (And sorry folks that I have not been writing on my blogs because I took a week's break in fact), but first in Super Rugby Pacific news such as the Hurricanes (Who had Cam Roigard who was the standout player of the game & Warner Dearns crossing over for a double, while Ngane Punivai got himself a hat-trick where the match was meant to be a supposed contest that ended in sheer humiliation, so, "Up the Canes!" (I should've said it every time the Hurricanes win just like that famous team nickname about the New Zealand Warriors which is "Up the Wahs!") overcoming atrocious conditions with a thrashing against the ACT Brumbies at the Cake Tin of Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington to go through to the semi final, then the Crusaders remain undefeated at the new Te Kaha Stadium, & in home playoff matches against the Blues (Who had a player Malachi Wrampling sent off for 20 minutes as a result of dangerous play on Leicester Fainga'anuku that deemed to be like a volatile manslaughter after being on the receiving end of him been given a sin bin, & on report meaning that his season is over as he will miss the semis, & possibly the final if the Blues (Who march on via the lucky loser spot) make it with a ban worth 3 weeks) in a lop-sided affair in Christchurch that sent the Crusaders into the final 4 all thanks to a hat-trick from fullback, & former Welsh international Johnny McNicholl meaning that the chances for the Crusaders of retaining the Super Rugby Pacific crown, is in fact still alive (And I watched an old game of the Blues-Crusaders encounter in Pukekohe from the archives that was way back in 1997 (And there were players in that era, such as Zinzan Brooke, Carlos Spencer, Craig Dowd, & Eroni Clarke for the Blues (And one of their players of the late Jonah Lomu (Who is by far the GOAT of rugby, compared to WWE wrestling having 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, the late Hulk Hogan, John Cena, & the Rock, & Formula One having Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, & the late Juan Manuel Fangio) didn't play all season as he had kidney disease that cost him all year as he didn't get medical clearance at the time) that won the game by a single point which was a close game throughout, while the Crusaders had Todd Blackadder, Justin Marshall, Andrew Mehrtens, & Mark Hammett playing for them) where they showed it on Sky Sport in anticipation of that game that was played on June 6th), then the Chiefs (Who had lost Wallace Sititi to a serious head knock where he had to leave the field for a head bin, then failed after one of the Queensland Reds players of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto who had been shown the sin bin for that high contact on Sititi, even with the Boston Celtics of Super Rugby Pacific of the Crusaders have boosted their efforts of going back to back, & become a 14 time champion in order to sign off the Penney era, if Wallace is ruled out for the crucial semi against them (And I fear it might be a Hurricanes-Crusaders final, just like in 2006 where they once had the fog final that was colloquially known as the most infamous, or strangest ever where the fans weren't able to see most of the action when the players were on the field (And I did play it in Rugby 25 as the Hurricanes when I played it against the red & blacks in Wellington at the Cake Tin of Wellington Regional Stadium in a potential, but possible Super Rugby Pacific final matchup preview) produced one of the greatest but finest performances in recent memory by one man who returned from a head injury that sparked the fire lit upon them, of Damian McKenzie (A 2 try hero along with Tongan winger Kyren Taumoefolau) who totally embarrassed the Queensland Reds to advance through to the last 4 at FMG Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.

And here are the list of games coming up as the Super Rugby Pacific competition heads into the semi final stages of the competition (And for the first time ever in the comp's short 5 year history in SRP that no side from Australia, will be involved at all in the semi (And the Aussie teams are still unable to get one on the board against the NZ sides whilst playing on New Zealand soil because their record is both poor, & woeful) as most of the Kiwi teams who take care of business of their ambitions of reaching the final (But first, there was back in 2001 that the only occasion that all 5 New Zealand sides weren't able to make it through to the semifinals of the Super competition (And the ACT Brumbies were the first non-Kiwi side to win a Super title (Their last full championship was in 2004 (7 years before the Queensland Reds took victory in the competition), while the last Aussie team to win a full competition bar the Super Rugby AU titles won by the ACT Brumbies in a COVID hit 2020, followed by the Queensland Reds in 2021 affected by the global COVID pandemic as well, was also in 2014 with the New South Wales Waratahs where they beat the Crusaders who last appeared in a final, until 3 years later where they had the threepeat from 2017 until 2019, before a 2 year layoff (The entire Super Rugby competition was called off in 2020 during the heights of COVID, & the pandemic where the Crusaders won the regional Aotearoa title in 2020-21 before the Blues did it in the truncated Trans-Tasman crown) where they won back to back titles in 2022-23 before the Blues took over the year before, then the red & blacks regained it last year):

Chiefs Vs Crusaders: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton (The last time both of these sides met was in round 15 there in Otautahi Christchurch, where the Crusaders notched a 4 point victory over the Chiefs with David Havili (Who could be recalled to the AB's under our new coach Dave Rennie due to him rediscovering his form that resurrected his chances of playing test rugby again after being left out in the cold last year under Scott Robertson (The most unsuccessful international rugby coach ever where he was a great player during his playing days) by spending months in the wilderness, while for lock Jamie Hannah, an All Blacks call up would be beckoning following an impressive season that he is having) making the difference of kicking that 50-22, then scoring the winning try that turned the Crusaders fans heads all along at Te Kaha Stadium)

& Hurricanes Vs Blues: Hnry Stadium, Wellington (The most recent meeting between the two was in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland at round 14, also where the Hurricanes were overwhelmingly dominant in a resounding record win against the Blues (Who is Super Rugby Pacific's equivalent to NBA's Los Angeles Lakers due to them being the 2nd most successful in terms of championships won) at their home patch at Eden Park, for the first time since 2019 where the Canes stormed to a 21 - 0 lead, before they at halftime with the score at 21 - 12, as the Hurricanes secured a dominant bonus point victory with tries scored by Pasilio Tosi, Kini Naholo, Fehi Fineanganofo (Who is currently out with an injury because his season thought that it's over, but however recovered in time for the semi as he equals the Super Rugby season try scoring record along with both former Brumby Joe Roff way back in 1997, & former Hurricane Ben Lam (Brother of AJ Lam, & relative of Pat the former Manu Samoa player) back in 2018, with 16 in fact), as well as Raymond Tuputupu, & Peter Lakai, while the Blues fought back with tries from Wrampling, AJ, Sam Darry (Son of a former provincial player Hunter, & the nutritionist Kat), & Kurt Eklund).

And secondly that I had a great birthday lunch at Thai Villa with Pops, Dad, Raewyn & Raewyn's daughter throughout as I had a Pad Thai for the main course before I had a birthday cake which is a carrot cake (And the gift that Dad has given it to me was a Project Motor Racing PS5 game (And I've got 40 modern video games (27 PS4, 11 PS5, & 1 Xbox One & Xbox Series X/S each), compared to 24 retro video games (All on the PlayStation 2 (And I still do have the PS2 slim with me since I bought it in December last year while both Aunty Tan & Rejean (Who I have not seen both of them for 157 days as of June 8th) were both here, & the reason why I wanted to get it is because of as a tribute to the late Carole Webb who passed away in November last year (And she was due to have her 74th birthday on June 17th, so that's why she was no longer with us) that is all of them a physical copies of it, as well as 26 Blu-ray movies, & 44 rock music albums now as of July 8th (And I bought a Foo Fighters (Whom I'm showing both love & appreciation of the band recently) debut album from 1995 (I know exactly 3 songs such as their debut single, 'This is a Call' that I love, then 'Big Me' which is the other one, & my fave off the album that is 'Exhausted') at the River Traders market along with Echoes, Patience, Silence & Grace from 2007 (And I also exactly know 4 songs off my heart such as my fave off the album of 'The Pretender', then 'Long Road to Ruin' as the other single, as well as 'Let It Die' where they always play it on the Rock FM, not Brian FM, & my second cousin Benny's fave Foo Fighters song 'Stranger Things Have Happened') a week later as well + both the Manic Street Preachers (This is My Truth, Tell Me Yours in which I know both songs from the album such as the most famous one called 'If You Tolerate This, Your Children Will Be Next' & the other famous one called 'You Stole the Sun From My Heart'), U2 (The Best of 1990 - 2000 which features the singles 'Mysterious Ways', 'One', 'Even Better than the Real Thing', 'Numb', Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me' from the Batman Forever movie, 'Staring at the Sun', 'Discotheque', then my fave song from the band which is 'Beautiful Day' where I first heard it back in 2000 when it came out, as well as 'Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of', & the William Orbit version of 'Electrical Storm' that I like), Twenty One Pilots (Breach in which the song of 'The Contract', has a bit of a Linkin Park sounding song feel to it that it's inspired by one of their songs from the famous American nu metal band from 2010, called 'The Catalyst'), & Foo Fighters (Your Favourite Toy for that I know both songs from the album, such as 'Window' that I heard on Brian (The radio station that plays Moby (The one that I love), but one of my favourite songs from him is 'Porcelain', but I like 'Bodyrock' as my other fave from Moby (And the reason why I'm a fan of him is because of his decent music, just like the late Chris Cornell, & his bands of both Audioslave, & Soundgarden, then the late David Bowie, & Neil Finn & his bands of both Crowded House, & Split Enz, but I like the late Jimi Hendrix as well throughout), & the most infamous one, called 'Asking for a Friend' which serves as the last track on the album) albums respectively from the Vinyl Room (And there was a gift delivered from Andy who was in Auckland that sent & dropped the package off for me, which is an Alter Bridge (The band consisting of Myles Kennedy & the 3 members of the band Creed like Mark Tremonti, & Scott Phillips) album called Blackbird that is released back in 2007 that I love, but I know one song off the album, & it is 'Rise Today' where I also first heard it also back in 2007 on the Rock (The New Zealand radio station, not the famous Samoan origin wrestler from the United States), but I managed to purchase both Audioslave self-titled album from back in 2002, & the Radiohead OK Computer album also from way back in 1997 at the Vinyl Room lately on the 13th of June), compared to Mum being a rugby book, & Aunty Tan (She has a birthday due on the 10th of June) who still lives over in Canada also being both PlayStation 2 games of F1 Career Challenge (A Formula One racing games that features the 4 seasons starting from way back in 1999, & finishing back in 2002), & Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (The game based on the movie since I already own one on Blu-ray) thinking that it was my best birthday ever, compared to last year where I got my phone as my birthday present.

And thirdly in gaming that I'm into wrestling again, due to the success of the 3 wrestlers (Both male & 1 female) recently such as 'The American Nightmare/Raheem/Cozy Rhodes' Cody Rhodes, 'The Big Dog/The OTC (Original Tribal Chief)' Roman Reigns (One of the American wrestlers of Pacific Island descent along with the most famous one of his cousins of once 'The People's Champion' & then 'The Final Boss' the Rock (Dwayne Johnson who was once known as 'The Blue Chipper' Rocky Maivia who is the biggest celebrity of the face, that the world has ever seen), then Roman's first cousin once removed of Jey Uso, as well as the late 'Yoko' of Yokozuna, & others like the Headshrinkers of Fatu (Who later became Rikishi) & Samu, Nia Jax (The Rock's cousin according to Heyman), Tamina Snuka (That's the daughter of the late Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka), & Naomi (Wife of Jey's twin brother Jimmy), + Jimmy as part of the Usos, the late Umaga (Who was once known as Jamal who was part of the 3 Minute Warning with his cousin Rosey (Roman's bro), Solo Sikoa (One of Rikishi/Fatu's sons & brother of the Uso twin bros), Dwayne's late grandfather of Peter 'High Chief' Maivia (Who had once wrestled here in New Zealand, then Australia, Japan, Europe, & finally, the United States according to 'The Wise Man', Paul Heyman the famous wrestling manager & host of the Bloodline showcase mode on WWE 2K25), then the Wild Samoans of Sika, & Afa, as well as the OG Bloodline consisting of Sami Zayn, the Usos, & Roman against the new Bloodline of Tonga Loa, Tama Tonga, Jacob Fatu, & Sikoa, & the Islanders of both Islander Tama, & Islander Haku), & Rhea 'Mami/The Nightmare' Ripley (Well, the Aussie people are convincing of having a go of being wrestling followers because of one woman who is one of women's wrestling's main stars this decade (Compared to last decade which was all about Irishwoman Becky 'The Man/The Irish Lass Kicker' Lynch (Who has the same nationality as fellow female wrestler Lyra Valkyria, & others like Finn Balor, & JD McDonagh, & is the one who had been defeated as she got decimated against the NXT graduate of Sol Ruca (Who could be touted as the next Rhea Ripley, compared to male Nigerian wrestler Oba Femi potentially being the next John Cena), the Hawaiian girl for the Women's Intercontinental title (In which Lynch had held on to since the last WrestleMania in that she beaten AJ Lee (CM Punk's wife who had pulverised Becky at Elimination Chamber (In which Randy Orton (Who betrayed his old friend Cody at the contract signing on Smackdown), while women like Sol Ruca for example that opportunities aren't limited since the establishment of both the women's Intercontinental & women's US titles respectively that was the year before, & if both of these titles weren't introduced that further opportunities for female wrestlers were going to be limited), & Ripley won their Elimination Chamber matches to earn title shots at the Grandest Stage of Them All) at WM XLII) at WWE the Clash in Italy), while 'The Quintessential WWE Diva/Canada's Greatest Export' of Trish Stratus who dominated the noughties decade, & the late 'Ninth Wonder of the World' of Chyna who was the top women's wrestler of the 90s) that I finally started playing WWE 2K25 on my birthday because I'm now doing the Bloodline legacy showcase mode where I'm trying to unlock all of it once that is 17 of them (I did both in the last 2 days as of the 8th of June, but I'll be doing it for the next 15 days), then I started playing F1 25 again because of the new 2026 season pack now being available meaning that I have not played it for ages (And I did Kimi Antonelli where I relived his 4 wins in China, Japan (That's the home country of both female wrestlers such as 'The Empress' Asuka who is the most successful of her country, as well as Iyo Sky, Kairi Sane, & Shunsuke Nakamura), Miami, Canada (That's also Chelsea Green & Trish Stratus's home country (And there's Maryse (The Miz's French Canadian wife), Natalya (Niece of 'The Hitman', Bret Hart, & daughter of 'The Anvil', Jeff Neidhart), & Sami Zayn the male Syrian Canadian wrestling star amongst others), & recently Monaco (Where our Kiwi Liam Lawson who finished 5th behind Aussie competitor of McLaren's Oscar Piastri in a decent performance that was marred by a red flag that caused a delay of proceedings when Kimi (Who finished ahead of multiple world champion Lewis Hamilton (Teammate of Monaco's Charles Leclerc who crashed on the final corner that caused a yellow flag to drop during the Grand Prix) who races for Ferrari in 2nd in his equal best result of this season, then the Algerian origin driver of Frenchman Isack Hadjar in the Red Bull who rounded out the podium for the first time ever in 3rd, but missed out on a podium because it went to Gasly who thought that he a time penalty) led during that Grand Prix (He started on pole ahead of Dutchman Max Verstappen (That's Hadjar's teammate), the former 4 time world champion in the Red Bull who had a bad start when he stalled on the grid, then Max went to the pits to come in & retire, just like the defending world champion of Britain's Lando Norris in the McLaren who was out of the race due to a mechanical failure that caused problems regarding to the power unit), but loses his equal best result in Formula One after Alpine driver of Frenchman Pierre Gasly who originally finished 7th due to being penalized for 5 seconds, has his podium being reinstated due to an error, meaning that Lawson's best result is still Azerbaijan from last year), then won where he did it 5 times in a row that maintained his status as the World Championship leader in his chances of becoming Italy's first Formula One world champion since the late Alberto Ascari in 1953 (And there has been ups & downs in Italian sport this year, such as Milano hosting the Winter Olympics in February, then the Italian rugby team shock the rugby world with wins against Scotland & England during the VI Nations, & the Italy football (Soccer) team failing to qualify for the Football (Soccer) men's World Championship for the 3rd straight time in the aftermath of their wayward performance against Bosnia & Herzegovina who prevailed on penalties in the UEFA qualification playoff final who made it instead to North America which will be the most controversial according to most estimates due to political upheaval still happening in the US with many travellers chosen not to head to that country for which is deemed to be a hostile one), compared to George Russell having just the 1 victory that he had this season in Australia (That's Rhea Ripley's home country needless to say, along with others like Grayson Waller, & Bronson Reed), but I raced the Monaco & Barcelona-Catalunya tracks as part of its preview of its next upcoming races being held (+ I tried the new track at the new Madring circuit where I've raced on it (And there are both new constructors joining the fray, such as Audi (Their driver lineup consisting of both German Nico 'Hulk' Hulkenberg & Brazilian Gabriel 'Gabi' Bortoleto) & Cadillac (Which features the most experienced driver lineup that includes also both Finn Valtteri 'VB' Bottas & Mexican Sergio 'Checo' Perez), but I'm divided between both motor racing & wrestling altogether mainly due to me playing the 3 games such as Gran Turismo 7, WWE 2K25, & F1 25, although I'm despite being mainly a rugby aficionado as well throughout like Pops does (And I'm sometimes into league because of my Dad being a fanatic of the sport).

And finally in golf that I would like to shed light that I'm about to break the silence about the downfall of world famous American golfer Tiger Woods, & his driving under the influence arrest this year meaning that the golf world is stunned to hear that his career could end in disgrace if he's sentenced to a crime that he committed, like a fine, & a community service for example that he could lose sponsorship endorsement revenue, like Nike for example (And he had both brushes with such as his societal problems in 2009 in that his marriage with Swedish woman Elin Nordegren had finished, then an vehicle accident in California in 2021 where he suffered injuries to an extent) instead of the All Blacks who sponsored Adidas since 1999 instead where he first burst into the amateur golf scene (He did the Tiger slam in 2000, to 2001 where he rocketed to stardom, while his last major golf championship win was at the Masters back in 2019 a year before the COVID pandemic took place that urged people to remain at their homes by flattening their curves) just like Justin Timberlake (The ex-N*SYNC boy band member) in 2023 who I have not mentioned him on my blogs where he did something wrong, & his DWI charge which sent his downward spiral that marked the beginning of the end of his music career.

So that is my 729th blog of the year 2026 (MMXXVI) & my 81st of this year, viva Ukraine.

P.S. Everything you say to me

Takes me one step closer to the edge, & I'm about to break

I need a little room to breathe

Cause I'm one step closer to the edge, I'm about to break

Life on Mars: My 80th Blog of the year 2026

Well, welcome to our readers here in New Zealand, & around the world, I'm Whetu Ngapo & you're tuning in to my KiwiAvenger blog here on blogger (And it is my first blog since the Black Knights of Auckland FC have won the A-League for the first time ever as they became the first New Zealand club in history to win the Trans-Tasman football (Soccer) club competition (And there are 12 competing from the men's comp, such as 10 from Australia & both from New Zealand such as the aforementioned AFC (Whose defence of the title is in jeopardy as the A-League had issued a war on the salary cap that had been implemented at a limit of AU $3 million being imposed as part of its loophole changes coming into effect starting next season which is 2026-27, according to most reports where they think that the Black Knights had spent twice the amount as the Nix did before that certain loophole change had now been introduced), & the Wellington Phoenix (Who I'm a fan of when they reached the playoffs back in 2010 where 24,278 fans attended the game that the Phoenix won on penalties against Perth Glory, then 32,792 people turned up at Wellington Regional Stadium to witness them smashing the Newcastle Jets in the minor semi-final, even before they fell short to the eventual champions Sydney FC involving their player Steve Corica (Future Auckland FC (Who is the 3rd New Zealand club to compete in the A-League after the New Zealand Knights (Founded as remnants of the Football Kingz in the defunct NSL who competed in the first 2 seasons before disbanding in 2006-07), then the Wellington Phoenix (Their debut season was in 2007-08 (And has been there since) compared to AFC who had their first season in 2024-25) coach) in the preliminary final in Sydney, then the World Cup arrived where the All Whites didn't advance through to the round of 16 despite ending our campaign unbeaten in all 3 draws against Slovakia first, then the defending champions at the time of Italy, & Paraguay as New Zealand was the only team that had never lost a match throughout the whole tournament (And 16 years later, we have waited for this as we are in a World Cup in North America, for only the 3rd time since our debut in 1982 (And our first since the aforementioned 2010 one), & our upcoming matches will be against Iran in LA, then both Egypt & Belgium in Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada), but first in gaming that the EA Sports Rugby game on the PlayStation 2, has become one of my fave PS2 games therefore taking over from Star Wars Battlefront II (2005), but I clocked the game 3 times such as completing both the Tri Nations (A competition involving the big 3 Southern Hemisphere teams of Australia, New Zealand, & South Africa that they must play each other 2 times with the side with the most wins is the champion) & World Championship (A global event which all 20 teams compete from pool matches to a knockout stage with one main goal is to win the prestigious global rugby tournament in order to become champions of the world) as the All Blacks (My favourite international rugby team to root for along with the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Pacific & Whanganui in the Heartland Championship), & the VI Nations (A European tournament that features the 6 major Euro teams competing such as England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, & Wales) as the Scots because of our family roots over there that is why the reason I wanted to play as Scotland out of the other 5 like the English, the French, the Irish, the Italians, & the Welsh for example + There are 23 venues in the game (5 from France (Beziers, Bordeaux (Stade Chaban Delmas), Lens (Stade Bollaert-Delelis), Paris (Stade de France) & Toulouse (Stadium de Toulouse), then 4 from England (Bristol, Huddersfield, Leicester & London (Allianz Stadium Twickenham), & 3 each from Ireland (Belfast, Dublin (The old Lansdowne Road before it became Aviva Stadium where it was renovated) & Limerick), Scotland (Glasgow (Hampden Park), Murrayfield (Edinburgh), Galashiels) & Wales (Cardiff (Millennium Stadium), Llanelli & Wrexham), then there's both from Australia (Melbourne (Docklands Stadium) & Sydney (Stadium Australia), & 1 each from Italy (Rome (Stadio Flaminio), New Zealand (Auckland (Eden Park) & South Africa (Joburg (Ellis Park).

And secondly in Formula One that Italian driver Kimi Antonelli has continued to assert his dominance of winning 4 in a row in Canada (His winning streak began in China where he became the 2nd youngest driver to win a Grand Prix, followed by Japan prior to the 5 week break when both the Bahrain & Saudi Arabian Grands Prix had to be called off as a result of America's invasion of Iran (In which was colloquially known as that dreadful American leader's war), as well as Miami where F1 was back at last when the 35 day break had been expired, & most recently, in Canada), therefore he remains as the world championship leader (2nd place went to Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton (His best result of the new season) who just had to beat Max Verstappen who finished on the podium in the dying moments of the race, but Antonelli's Mercedes teammate of Britain's George Russell whose chances of winning in Canada, ended in heartbreak as he gets a DNF mid-race when Kimi capitalised the situation being unfolded at that moment) following the Canadian Grand Prix (Which was held following the Indy 500), but Italy hasn't produced a world champion since the late Alberto Ascari in 1953 when he secured back to back world championships with Antonelli seeking to become the 3rd if he becomes the new world champion after both the late Ascari & the late Doctor Farina, but it is a long way to go with 17 races left in the calendar with the next one being held in Monaco at the Monaco GP scheduled for the 5th to the 7th of June (And I expect big, massive upgrades from McLaren who are attempting to beat Mercedes, at one of McLaren's most favourable circuits at the Circuit de Monaco, in their bid of defending their constructors crown, therefore assisting Lando Norris's chances of successfully going back to back in terms of the world drivers championship fight (And Norris is 4th in the championship behind Monaco's Charles Leclerc (Who goes into his emotional homecoming full of confidence) in the Ferrari), & if Lando wins the Monaco Grand Prix, his aspirations of becoming the world champion again, could well be in truly, back on track).

And thirdly that Dad will be heading to Christchurch on May 30th to pick up his new camper van meaning that he'll have to head down there to get one by catching a flight to Christchurch to acquire the new camper van first, then stay in Picton for the night before a day later of catching a ferry on the Inter Islander on the way home to Whanganui in time on May 31st a day before we head to Caroline's for Raewyn's daughter's birthday lunch there due at 11:30 pm during King's birthday on June 1st which is 6 days out until I hit the big 35 for my 35th birthday on June 7th at Thai Villa for lunch.

And lastly in the rugby as the Crusaders (Who remain undefeated at their fortress of Te Kaha Stadium at 4 & 0 (First the New South Wales Waratahs during Super Round, then the Blues, as well as the Chiefs, & recently the Hurricanes) with a San Antonio Spurs inspired performance that saw them led by 'Wemby' of Victor Wembanyama (The Antoine Dupont & Kylian Mbappe of French basketball who will be in his first final, for which San Antonio will be the host of the first 2 games of the NBA finals) against the Oklahoma City Thunder (Whose reign as the NBA champions had ended after defeat in the 7th & deciding game meaning that there has to be the best of 7 first to 4, in order that they're can only be one clear winner, much more like the super over in cricket (T20 & ODI only during the knockouts of the men's ODI Cricket World Cup), & the penalty shootout in football (Soccer) during the knockout stages of a major tournament, especially both the Euros, & the World Cup), as well as in league like State of Origin, & in rugby where there is a 3 match test series) advance through to the NBA finals against the New York Knicks in a chance to claim the NBA championship for the first time since 2013-14 where it had the likes of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, & Kawhi Leonard back then when they last triumphed) & the Chiefs recorded dominant wins over the Hurricanes (Who had to rest key players for the clash at Te Kaha Stadium in Christchurch) & the Blues (Who'll have to travel to Christchurch against the Crusaders in the qualifying finals following defeat against the Chiefs who too rested those big guns for the clash at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton, allowing Wallace Sititi to take over the captain or skipper's armband for that occasion) respectively, but Moana Pasifika sign off Super Rugby Pacific with a boil over win one last time in what would be their final outing in the competition, against the Brumbies (Who'll go to Wellington to take on the Canes during the 1st round of the playoff phase that is the qualifying finals) in Canberra, which means that Moana had been given the axe since they're not going to compete next year because they ran out of money to continue operating (And it was dogged by a 20 minute send off against Faletoi Peni after a second sin bin offence for shockingly taken Andy Muirhead out of commission with a dangerous tackle deemed to be a cheap shot & a cowardly act (Is there a high shot? Is there an impact above the shoulder? Now, Peni did what? This is going to give us, a bit more of the clue. He did something? He certainly did something. Now what happens, he'd seen some more. Well, the pictures tell the story. He leaves, Super Rugby Pacific, in disgrace. And he leaves his team in big trouble. Moana down to 14 players. And the chances of leaving the competition with a win, has an unsavoury moment there. But that will make the headlines of the result I feel. It's a sending off for the high shot, Faletoi Peni can hardly believe it. Faletoi Peni, has been shown the send off offence. Well, this is the man, who that day, has been tipped to play, for this game to start in the midfield, in order to make the difference, in a game, that he had to get through, without blemish, he's got himself red carded, after 62 minutes, it is a remarkable start. It's a send off, second sin bin for Faletoi Peni. Unacceptable tackle. Sent off) which was shades of the Kalyn Ponga incident where he deliberately, but intentionally taken Tolu Koula out with a no arms tackle straight to the head during Origin I in Sydney between New South Wales Blues, & the Queensland Maroons (And 'KP' just escaped with a ban as he got fined 23% of his match fee following the incident that landed him in hot water, in which the referee had ejected him for a terrorist like hostile act such as a high shot, as well as impact above the shoulder for that was volatile (Another word that I also getting intolerant with along with tyrant as well throughout), but Moana have managed to overcome the send off therefore bidding farewell to the Super Rugby Pacific competition before possibly joining MLR as a team based in Hawaii).

And here are the list of games coming up as the Super Rugby Pacific competition heads into the qualifying finals:

Hurricanes Vs ACT Brumbies: Hnry Stadium, Wellington (The most recent meeting between the two was during Super Round in Christchurch at round 11 on ANZAC Day, where Fehi Fineanganofo who lit up of scoring an impressive 4 tries, compared to Josh Moorby who would gone on to score a double)

Chiefs Vs Queensland Reds: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton (The last time both of these sides met was in round 13 of the competition where the Chiefs won in that controversial match which was blighted by a dreadful but shocking refereeing performance from Marcus Playle who never refereed a game of Super Rugby Pacific again following the match)

& Crusaders Vs Blues: Te Kaha Stadium, Christchurch (Their last meeting between the two was in round 13 where the Crusaders were overwhelmingly dominant against the Blues who had to lose Dalton Papali'i through injury)

So that is my 728th blog of the year 2026 (MMXXVI) & my 80th of this year, viva Ukraine.

Let's Dance: My 79th Blog of the year 2026 (AKA Auckland FC triumph in the A-League competition)

Well, welcome to our readers here in New Zealand, & around the world, I'm Whetu Ngapo & you're tuning in to my KiwiAvenger blog here on blogger, but first in Super Rugby Pacific as the Crusaders (Who announced that their coach Rob Penney is leaving at the end of this season as he prepares for his retirement from coaching, allowing Scott Hansen to take over from him starting next year, but will have the services of star man Richie Mo'unga back from Japan next season) defeat the Chiefs at their fortress of Te Kaha Stadium in Christchurch thanks to a winning 50/22 from the Crusaders captain himself, David Havili before the red & blacks even pounced of scoring that winning try (And I watched that Super Rugby match from the archives back in 2012 between the 2 sides at McLean Park in Napier on the 21st & 22nd of May where the Chiefs had a close win over the Crusaders) by Havili himself, then Moana Pasifika fall short in their last home game at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland in heartbreaking fashion against the Queensland Reds whose chances of reaching the playoffs are still alive after that decisive try (And Moana are due to play their last ever Super Rugby Pacific game against the Brumbies in Canberra before being defunct in which they have run out of money to keep them going, therefore the competition next year, will be down to 10 teams (5 from New Zealand, 4 from Australia & only 1 from Fiji), then a conversion to put them in front as they had to cling on until the end of the game, while the Hurricanes had taken victory against the Highlanders (Who will also have Shannon Frizell return from Japan next season as part of his ambitions of making the AB's squad just like Mo'unga, in next year's men's Rugby World Cup in Australia in an effort to topple the Springboks, & their chance of becoming the first side to complete a hat-trick of winning 3 men's RWC's in a row) whose season is over at Hnry Stadium in Wellington, even though with the Canes remain on top of the table going into the final round of the regular season against the Crusaders (Who will be seeking to leapfrog the Blues of hosting a home qualifying final if they win so that is the equation) in Christchurch.

And here are the list of matches coming up as the Super Rugby Pacific competition heads into the final round of the season in round 16:

Crusaders Vs Hurricanes: Te Kaha Stadium, Christchurch

Queensland Reds Vs Fijian Drua: Lang Park, Brisbane

ACT Brumbies Vs Moana Pasifika: Canberra Stadium, Canberra

Chiefs Vs Blues: Waikato Stadium, Waikato

& Western Force Vs New South Wales Waratahs: Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth

Bye: Highlanders

And secondly in the motor racing department such as the Indy 500 where Felix Rosenqvist (Who became a dad when his baby daughter was born 3 weeks in the lead-up to the event) becomes the 3rd different Swedish driver after both Kenny Brack way back in 1999, & Marcus Ericsson in 2022 who was the last Swede to do so before Rosenqvist, to win the Indianapolis 500 where he edged Team Penske's David Malukas (The Lithuanian American who comes from Chicago, Illinois) who thought that he was going to win, until he got beaten by 'Fro' in one of the closest finishes in Indy 500 history (And there was 1992 where American Al 'Little Al/Al Jr' Unser Jr had to beat Canadian Scott Goodyear for the win which was one of the most infamous narrow margins ever) with a close victory in 'The Greatest Spectacle of Racing' during the final dramatic lap of the 200-lap race, as Felix had gone from 3rd, to 1st in a 1-lap shootout that decided IndyCar's premier pinnacle event, meaning that the Borg-Warner trophy is heading to Sweden for the first time since 2022 where Ericsson triumphed (That's a year before American Josef Newgarden won in 2023, then a year later in the year before, & Alex Palou last year) thus remaining the success of the Indy 500 by European drivers (The trophy headed to Spain last year (2025) when Palou also triumphed).

And thirdly news I have not followed since I last watched CNN on May 16th that there has been a shooting incident near the White House (Which will gear up hosting UFC Freedom 250 on the South lawn of the most heavily guarded building in the world (Compared to the Prime Minister of New Zealand's official residence at Premier House in Wellington where it is the most guarded building of our country, while the most secure ballroom is under construction might have been considered dear to build as it costs millions of it at between US $200 million to US $400 million) due on the 14th of June this year to mark the birthday of that dreadful American leader, & to celebrate a double half century of US independence where fights expected to take place, such as 'Sugar' Sean O'Malley is fighting against Aiemann Zahabi in the Bantamweight division, then Brazilian Alex Pereira taking on Frenchman Ciryl Gane in the co-main as part of the heavyweight division, & Georgia's Ilia Topuria is facing against Justin Gaethje in the main event also as part of the lightweight division in front of 5,000 people (And there will be an IndyCar race in the streets of Washington D.C. (One of the new street circuits in the calendar along with the already held Arlington, & Markham in Ontario, Canada) with free admission for all motor racing fans about to take place which is scheduled on August 23rd by the order of the US leader) where a 21 year old African American gunman who was armed not only with a semi-automatic high powered AR-15 rifle had been shot dead by the president's bodyguards who opened fire towards him (Unlike that this year's Football (Soccer) men's World Cup will be in fact, the most controversial ever just exactly like in both Russia 2018, & Qatar 2022 as the other controversies prior to that where hotel prices are going to be high (And most fans will be waiting for 2030 in Spain, Portugal & Morocco so that they can save their money since they elected to boycott the US, & avoid travelling there as fuel jet prices are getting expensive since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran war for that will be permanent), then ticket prices including the final which will be skyrocketed, as well as an ICE (Which stands for Immigration Customs Enforcement (The US leader's so called goon squad) that are the modern day version of nationalist Germany's Gestapo (For which I'm showing disdain towards them) in that it is a political legislation enforcement force that tracks down any dissidents who blatantly show criticism towards that late German leader) presence throughout the whole tournament (Along with law enforcement officers who are out there to guard any American city during the World Cup since there is always fully heightened security presence everywhere) where they'll track down foreign troublemakers who cause anger, & hostility towards the American people to avoid getting offended by them thinking that the foreigners are being suspicious, & intolerant by being malicious, with social media checks being in place similar to background checks (And they can't have Haitian, & Iranian people around there in the United States of America due to a full travel crackdown imposed by the US government, while the Cote D'Ivorian, & Senegalese people are under a semi travel clampdown also imposed by the American government), & the legislations on anti-dreadful American leader (For which Pops told me about it that the current US President is a total disaster) voices have already been tightened (And they could be shown the ejection (AKA the red card/send off) if they do that, such as terms behind bars as political prisoners) meaning that there is a war on disrespecting the President of the United States (Who I label as a despicable human being, but my life has been ruined by extreme far-right conservative politics being on the rise from the ashes that I hate now (Oh god! But I'm an outspoken critic of extreme far-left liberal politics, mainly because I am a liberal type of person (And I'm an antifa (Which stands for anti-fascist) anyway), such as many countries that are associated with right wing beliefs, like the United States have already prohibited immigration, while other countries are attempting to do so of imposing a war on immigrants such as the UK (But I have been reading the world news section of the Whanganui Chronicle lately like on May 28th not only that I'm politically charged about the situation happening around the globe (And at least we're safe here in our country, according to the comment from Dad that I actually remember on Messenger on the 28th of May), such as the UK to follow Australia's lead of imposing a crack down on social media towards children as they passed a new law according to the UK PM of Sir Keir Starmer to avoid getting kids being harmed about dreadful, shocking, but horrendous content (Like distressing images of both that dreadful invasion since 2022, & in Iran, as well as fascist related stuff like that terrible US leader for example) that they took their own lives with grieving parents are being concerned, & worried towards it thinking that it's suspicious conduct that the legislations of children accessing to social media (That has deemed to be overzealous, even with other countries like Sweden (Where they are trying to introduce it by the 1st of January in the year after), Brazil, & Indonesia are following suit recently after such measures to introduce an age restriction system regime of going on social media, thinking that it's totalitarian stuff, absolute totalitarian stuff), are exactly going to be tightened for which I label it as a political inspired move), Australia, France, Germany (Although their chancellor Frederich Merz is also concerned that his 3 kids, & other young Germans are avoiding of residing in the United States, thinking that it's hostile over there as a result of the climate related to politics that has deemed to be an outcast associated with political polarisation, & its culture wars), & Japan (Italy under Georgia Meloni who imposed a clampdown on deepfake stuff, as well as Austria are under conservative rule) since calls from the far-right that is arisen from their country, in the aftermath of a Japanese teacher got killed (Murdered) by a foreigner (Known as Gaikokujin over there), & their families, as well as their vice president alone along with their families, & their government, in an egregious way as well therefore that someone will be sent to their home country if they do that (Also exactly unlike the Broadcasting Standards Authority are being abolished in favour of self-regulating after it referred to a controversial clash in New Zealand during late last year, & this year, where the BSA tried to regulate online podcasts, as the description of Soviet-era Stasi was used by political figures to criticise what they saw as overreach, & state censorship as in late last year, the BSA indicated it had the power to mandate of subjecting as well as summoning to a review by viewer complaints regarding content on the independent, online digital media outlet the Platform, in response to the Broadcasting Standards Authority's actions, politicians like NZ First leader Winston Peters, & commentators heavily criticized the regulator, as Peters compared the BSA's regulatory moves into the digital space to a "Soviet-era Stasi" and "blatant overreach", meanwhile the underlying tension stemmed from the outdated Broadcasting Act 1989 which the BSA argued it had to interpret for modern media despite lacking clear digital jurisdiction, & following that and other digital jurisdiction disputes, the Government confirmed it will scrap the Broadcasting Standards Authority entirely in favor of media self-regulation (And there is another word along with autocracy, & propaganda that I can't stand anymore, & that is fascism (And regime, as well as totalitarianism too when they released the trailer of the new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (I have already got it via pre-order for which evokes memories of the war in Iran, compared to Call of Duty: Black Ops that has drawn parallels to that dreadful invasion since 2022, & Battlefield 6 that is reminiscent to the Gaza conflict that they used to have) about the potential invasion of South Korea by those evil but dastardly, North Korean troops under that country's new leader which will be the antagonist of the game, but there was a line said by one of the North Korean military troops that "They must find the defector, they will burn that village to the ground if they have to" for which the trailer for the game due for release in October this year that sparked outrage about a potential real world war between the 2 countries, & also another word that I extremely hate which is segregation just like South Africa's racial segregation policies during apartheid that lasted from 1948, until a political prisoner named the late Nelson Mandela was released way back in 1990, 2 years before the South Africans had admitted into international sport once again also way back in 1992 as a result of a political change (That's 2 years before Mandela was elected the first African origin president) & another one that I really hate is terrorism just like the 3 boroughs have been shut down in Grand Theft Auto IV due to a terrorist threat that you can't just head into that area which results cops being alerted with an instant wanted level of 4 stars until it has been unlocked (Like Alderney after the mission 3 Leaf Clover), & war as well because of that shocking conflict since 2022 & the Iran war still going at the moment that is bad at the moment along with the US becoming an autocratic country as Dad told me that I wrote down the 8 words that I hate now, like autocracy, propaganda, fascism, regime, totalitarianism, segregation, terrorism, & war) with Liberty City's bridges are barricaded by legislation enforcement officers because of that, damn terrorists!) because of the US President's influence with that late German leader, & that America First (Who I haven't mentioned before that when it was sponsored at a NHL game, even as a political statement in which the America First stuff thing is because of sweeping immigration reforms as well as they imposed a war on freedom of speech that everything like modern day fascism which had not been seen since the end of World War II (And fascism are being on the rise again during modern times since last year when that dreadful American leader (Who is influenced by that late German leader who massacred millions of people, while the US President who always said mean things according to the meme that I saw on Google image search) took office once again, dirty nationalist scum!) policy (And the Hungarian leader of Viktor Orban (Of the Conservative Party who had been the Prime Minister of Hungary since 12 years ago back in 2014 who had been associated with the country who started that shocking conflict since 2022, & the US leader) has been defeated in an election in Hungary recently as the new leader emerges with Peter Magyar (Of the Liberal Party) as the new PM, & with that Liberal party's election win that they'll provide support to Ukraine in their bid of winning against the country who started that horrendous war since 2022 (In which the United States are siding with that country, & their shocking invasion on Ukraine), while in Europe that there has been more confirmed cases of the hantavirus in both France, & the Netherlands where people such as hospital staff members are asked to self quarantine as medics are on the search for anyone of stamping out the spread (Just like the Ebola outbreak has struck in East Africa that they're trying to deal with recently when Aunty Tan alluded to me via email), meanwhile in Iran that the peace deal to end the war is on so that they can open the Strait of Hormuz again (For which is permanently shut down currently at the moment as there is a gas price hike being applied throughout regarding to inflation, especially in our country of New Zealand), but the Iranians aren't backing down of a certain truce, & of course in that dreadful invasion since 2022 where a large scale attack by the country who started it on Ukraine leaves 4 of them getting murdered, & dozens wounded on that occasion in one of that shocking conflict's biggest assaults on Kyiv, as they had been struck in a country who started that terrible war, & that missile assault, as a new wave on assaults escalates that dreadful invasion since 2022 that had counted as an assault related to terrorism for which I label that country who started that shocking conflict, & their military armed forces unit as a terrorist group (Similar to scenes from the Grand Theft Auto IV game where the mission Entourage is similar to the motorcade ambush scene taken from the 1994 movie, Clear & Present Danger where a VIP was cornered & under attack in an alleyway by a hostile militia armed with RPG's (Who I thought that was prohibited in the US following 9/11 when GTA IV took place during the events of 2008 back then according to one of the YouTube comments that I saw), so Niko had to act like CIA analyst Jack Ryan to guard the politician to safety by escorting him to City Hall, & there's one in To Live & Die in Alderney where there was a prolonged car chase sequence from the movie itself during a sting operation by the Feds of the FIB (Known as the Federal Investigation Bureau which serves as a fictional equivalent to the real life FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) which had to take place).

And finally in the football (Soccer) department that how good are Auckland FC? Well, they are the champions at last during their 2nd year of the A-League competition (Although they fell short to the eventual champions of Melbourne City during the 2nd leg of the semi when they were in their first year of the 2024-25 season) after a 1-0 win in the final over Sydney FC (Coached by former Socceroo Patrick Kisnorbo who took over from Ufuk Talay once he departed, & Kisnorbo is still winless against AFC since his takeover as Sydney FC coach) in front of a sell-out crowd of 28,000 at Go Media Stadium in one of the best domestic/club football matches that I've watched of all time because the players like Cam Howieson the goal scorer (He went to England on a professional contract in the last decade, but decided to return home in Auckland back in 2015 because of his disabled daughter who is always on a wheelchair so he decided to put family first (And he's got another daughter as well), & there was Dan Hall who was part of the success with the Central Coast Mariners twice when they won the competition in 2022-23, & 2023-24 before heading to AFC founded by American billionaire Bill Foley who owns English club AFC Bournemouth who returned to the Premier League (Which was won by Arsenal for the first time since their unbeaten season back in 2003-04 during the Arsene Wenger & Thierry Henry era), & an NHL team called the Vegas Golden Knights (And one of his sons attending the game as the Auckland FC faithful just witnessed a moment of history as the unthinkable was happened, not only because it was inevitable when the Black Knights became the first New Zealand club to win the A League competition, but Bill said that it would take 3 seasons to win their first title for AFC, well, that's 2 you owe me junior) who are in the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2022-23 (Where they'll be taking on the Carolina Hurricanes who ended Rejean's team that he supports (Well, me & Pops always support the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Pacific) of the Montreal Canadiens whose chances of claiming a Stanley Cup for Canada of breaking a 33 year drought, had ended meaning that the utter dominance of American teams winning the Stanley Cup, will extend for another season), just like the New York Knicks did in the National Basketball Association when they haven't been to the NBA finals since 1999), are a bunch of nobodies & relatively unknowns who just burst into the football/soccer scene where the footballing gods in New Zealand were finally able to smile (The best moment of the 2025-26 season was the final itself (I watched the whole game on the 24th of May, then the entirety of the 2nd half a day later, & the last 10 minutes of the final plus injury time (And if Auckland FC lost, I would've not watched it, but it is good that a New Zealand team won, & it was lucky just like if the White Ferns lost to South Africa in the women's T20 Cricket World Cup the year before, that I would not be watching it also, but we won instead according to the previous stories that I did on my blogs), while the 2nd best was Auckland FC putting themselves through to the final just to silence the Hindmarsh Stadium crowd with a 3-0 victory against Adelaide United during the 2nd leg just to be there on that occasion, while the 3rd best was the penalty shootout win against the defending champions at the time of Melbourne City also during the 2nd leg of the elimination final that sent them progressing to the semi against Adelaide United), meanwhile for Auckland FC (Who have 5 players that are in the All Whites squad such as the departing Jesse Randall, Francis de Vries, Michael Woud, Nando Pijnaker, & Callan Elliot for this year's World Cup tournament in North America, compared to the Wellington Phoenix of having 3 players such as Sarpreet Singh, Tim Payne, & Wynton's nephew, as well as club captain of Alex Rufer who is expected to become the 2nd Rufer to play in the Football (Soccer) men's World Cup scheduled for June to July this year) coach of former Sydney FC player & manager of Steve Corica celebrating his 5th title overall (He did it twice as a player in 2005-06 when Sydney FC first triumphed in the inaugural A-League season, & in 2009-10, then did it as a coach 3 times such as in both 2018-19, also then 2019-20 with Sydney FC, & 2025-26 with the Black Knights), & what a win for Auckland FC, especially the group of supporters called the Port who cheered them on throughout the entire campaign, especially the last 3 matches including the final, & what was my reaction like post match? Auckland FC have made history there on May 23rd, & man, was it so sweet. We've knocked the scum off (And in your life, have you ever seen anything like it! And it's going Black Knight, in 2025-26! For the first time ever, Auckland FC, is champion, of the A-League! What a night out at Go Media Stadium. Absolute ecstasy for Auckland FC! Agony, agony for Sydney FC! Auckland FC have won the A-League! By the barest of margins! By the barest of Margins! Me oh my, I have enjoyed that, yes boy! Pandemonium! Absolute scenes! That's it! We did it! Yeah baby, yeah!).

So that is my 727th blog of the year 2026 (MMXXVI) & my 79th of this year, viva Ukraine.

Sorrow: My 78th Blog of the year 2026

Well, welcome to our readers here in New Zealand, & around the world, I'm Whetu Ngapo & you're tuning in to my KiwiAvenger blog here on blogger, but first that there was a tragic story way back in 1998 about star American comedian who appeared on the Simpsons, & Saturday Night Live (SNL) of the late Phil Hartman who got shot, & killed by his wife who turned on the firearm herself in Los Angeles, California as her friend showed up therefore calling the police thinking that there was a murder before officers arrived when they responded to a call when she believed that what appears to be trapped inside the closet (And she would've gone to jail for that crime that she committed if she was alive), while their kids had to be escorted out of their home by legislation enforcement officers who ruled it as a murder-suicide (And the whole entertainment world was in shock once it happened, it just had to be), just like that shocking Benoit incident which was worse in the US back in 2007 where the late famous wrestler Chris murdered both his wife Nancy & son Daniel, before ending his own life into matters in a sour note (Oh my word) when the WWE had announced their changes meaning that the Ruthless Aggression era (Which began also back in 2002 as it replaced the Attitude era), had become the PG (WWE Universe) era which lasted until 2014 where the Reality era began as when the World Wrestling Entertainment was changing its logo, therefore signalling a new era (And the WWE is currently into the Renaissance (Triple H) era that is still going since 2022).

And secondly that I was discussing to Pops before we headed to Thai Villa on the 17th of May (That is 3 weeks prior to my 35th birthday on June 7th (That's 2 days following Dad's June 5th & 3 days before Aunty Tan's on the 10th of June, & 4 weeks also prior to Pops on July 5th) about the rivalries of international rugby that New Zealand has ever faced on the international rugby field such as France first that we used to be formidable rivals with them not only we faced them in the men's Rugby World Cup final in both way back in 1987, & back in 2011, so too is Australia even though we took on them once at a men's RWC final before back in 2015, before South Africa since they dominated the last 2 men's Rugby World Cups in both 2019, & 2023, has taken over as by far, our main formidable rival in world rugby, then there's England & Ireland then as our other ones (And the New Zealand-South Africa rivalry in rugby is similar to Argentina against Brazil in football (Soccer), as well as India & Pakistan as their main rivalry in cricket, & Australia Vs England also in cricket as the other rivalry), but what about our women? Because of the Black Ferns main rival would be England, then Australia as our other rival, & do not forget Canada as well since they beat us in the semi last year at the women's RWC.

And thirdly that I was emailing to Aunty Tan on May 17th about me requesting my 2 birthday presents that I'm getting (Such as the F1 Career Challenge, & Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith PlayStation 2 games that are PAL versions of it), then me watching CNN twice on the 16th of May about everything is going on around the world at the moment (And Dad is always into ChatGPT at the moment, because I'm mainly into Google), then about me & Pops were heading to Thai Villa for dinner (Originally we were going to go there for dinner on the 15th of May, but it had got fully booked, so we went to Caroline's instead) in which we did where I had satay sauce stir fried with chicken & me not watching the ice hockey lately that I was mainly tuning into watching the rugby instead with Pops.

And lastly the latest in Super Rugby Pacific such as the Chiefs (Who had Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi bagging in for his 2 tries that he scored in the game, but it was Wallace Sititi who had been standout player of the game for his outstanding performance) gave the Highlanders a pounding in Hamilton when they won at least 30 points (Including a sin bin from Argentinian Tomas Lavanini that cost the Highlanders dearly that resulted in a turning point that the Chiefs capitalised when they were on a points scoring spree until the sin binning offence had been expired) which was marred by the injuries to Damian McKenzie for the Chiefs (Well, the extent of the injury of McKenzie could be long term, just like in 2019 that he got injured in a match against the Blues that took him out of the men's Rugby World Cup in that year, therefore ending his chances of playing in that certain tournament, & is expected to miss the encounter against the defending Super Rugby Pacific champions of the Crusaders in Christchurch), & Caleb Tangitau for the Highlanders (Although he could be out of contention of making the All Blacks with a serious injury like that, similar to McKenzie meaning that his chances of making the All Blacks is over as he is ruled out for the remainder of the season), a day before the Hurricanes remain on top of the table after that emphatic win over the Blues (Who lost Caleb Clarke for what appears to be an injury not too serious after making that try saving tackle on reserve Hurricanes halfback Jordi Viljoen) in an entertaining but thrilling match (Up the Canes!).

And here are the next upcoming games that are coming up are scheduled for the weekend of the 22nd to 23rd of May as we're heading into the penultimate round of the Super Rugby Pacific competition (And there's the A-League football (Soccer) final scheduled on the 23rd of May between Auckland FC coached by former Sydney FC coach Steve Corica, & led by a Japanese import player of Hiroki Sakai (Formerly from Urawa Red Diamonds in the J-League comp who used to play abroad in both Germany & France, & was involved in 3 World Cups for his country of Japan back in 2014 (They didn't progress through to the knockouts as both Colombia & Greece were through), then also back in 2018 (Where they fell short against Belgium at the death when one of their players of Nacer Chadli had scored a match winning goal during stoppage time in one of the greatest comebacks in the tournament's history of all time since West Germany's encounter against England long ago in 1970 where a side had to win at least a match after being both goals down), & in 2022 (Where they also fell short against the Luka Modric led Croatia on penalties) who are into their first final, & the past A-League champions of Sydney FC in front of a sell-out crowd at Go Media Stadium in Auckland for which has a Football (Soccer) men's World Cup final feel, or vibe I should say towards it + the New Zealand Warriors are playing against St George-Illawarra Dragons in Kogarah in the league such as the NRL in round 12 of this year's season (On the same day as the A-League grand final, as well as in the rugby such as the Moana-Reds, as well as the Hurricanes-Highlanders, & the Force-Drua clashes) for which will the last before the State of Origin gets underway with New South Wales Blues looking to regain the crown against the defending holders of the Queensland Maroons on May 27th at Stadium Australia in Sydney (And there has been an update as the Warriors went on to win against the Dragons therefore setting up a top of the table clash against the Panthers at CommBank Stadium in Paramatta, Sydney during round 13 of the competition (And the Wahs have never lost since against the Cronulla Sutherland-Sharks at Endeavour Field in the southern Sydney suburb of Woolooware, New South Wales, for which was round 5 of this NRL Premiership season), but at what cost? Because of our key players suffering injuries in that game, like Roger Tuivasa-Sheck who ruptured an ACL in which the Warriors fans are holding their breath as he pulled up sore after tackling Hayden Buchanan & was forced from the field just 11 minutes into his return from a shoulder injury (His career could be over since he got injured again, but he's recently ruled out of the season (And possibly the League World Cup for Samoa) as he departs to join English Super League club of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats), then Eddie Ieremia-Toeava got KO'd following a terrible tackle involving teammate Wayde Egan on a Dragons player of Toby Couchman, & meanwhile that New South Wales had drawn first blood as they go 1-0 up in the series against Queensland during the season opener which was marred by the red card against Maroons fullback of Kalyn 'KP' Ponga for a no arms in the tackle to the head on Tolu Koula which was I label it as a flagrant foul that sparked a comeback for the Blues who were 20-0 down as the Maroons let their lead slip, but the magic moment as NSW were on the last tackle as Nathan Cleary kicked a high ball that James Tedesco caught it as he beat Hamiso 'The Hammer' Tabuai-Fidow who was beaten to the strike when Teddy pounced of scoring that certain try that was infamous when the scores were locked at 20-all with 90 seconds remaining before Cleary ran down the clock, until it was stopped with 5 seconds remaining, before he slotted that winning easy shot at goal right in front of the posts), well, as former Aussie cricketer Bill Lawry would say "It's all happening", & also the Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on the St Lawrence River in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on the weekend of 22nd to the 24th of May (Same weekend as the Indianapolis 500 mile race (And it's going to take place prior to the Grand Prix in Canada) happening with the reigning champion of Spain's Alex Palou who returns for the first time since his victory last year filled with drama, & there are 3 Kiwis that are involved in the Indy 500 such as both Scott's of Dixon (The winner from back in 2008 who only won it once) & McLaughlin, & Marcus Armstrong) where our own New Zealander racing in the RB Racing Bulls constructor of Liam Lawson who is in action (He had a dreadful race in Miami last time out which was unlucky in that he had to retire) against the 4 world champions (Current & former) on the grid this season of Fernando Alonso (Who currently drives for the unlucky Aston Martin outfit), Lewis Hamilton (Who is in his second season with Ferrari), Max Verstappen (Who competed in the 54th running of the Nürburgring 24 hours, & was the headline act that had drawn a sell out crowd for the first time in history (And multi-day tickets have been sold out long ago since) as he drives a Mercedes-AMG GT3 car along with Gerhard Berger's nephew Lucas Auer, Jean-Marc's son Jules Gounon, & Daniel Juncadella, while YouTubers Steve Alvarez Brown, & Jimmy Broadbent will drive a Porsche 911 Cup Car, & former Gran Turismo World Series champion Takuma Miyazono will in fact drive a Toyota Supra GT4 evo, as he prepares to make his real world debut along with Broadbent & Brown according to the report on sim racing focused website GTPlanet), & Lando Norris (Who is 4th in the championship during his defence of the title after McLaren made significant improvements, but was unable to keep pace towards the Mercedes-AMG cars) + a young Italian of Kimi Antonelli who still remains the world championship leader after 4 rounds of competition, but behind him in terms of the points fight is his Mercedes teammate who is the championship favourite of George Russell, & also there is day 1 of the French tennis Open at Roland-Garros in Paris, France, where American lady Coco Gauff (Whose idol was the Williams sisters where she grew up watching them on television), & Spanish gentleman Carlos Alcaraz (Who was the Laureus sportsman of the year) will be defending their titles respectively (While headlining the women will be world number 1 Aryna Sabalenka (The sportswoman of the year at the Laureus awards, while team of the year had gone to Paris St Germain for their historic but incredible UEFA Champions League run last season, as they became the first French club in history to win a major European football (Soccer) club comp), compared to the men where they have both Italian Jannik Sinner (Who lost to Alcaraz last year after winning the first 2 sets, in one of the infamous but greatest sporting comeback moments of all time, but since the year before that all men's grand slams had been dominated by both Carlos Alcaraz & Sinner (But the last before the Alcaraz-Jannik Sinner era (And there was the Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal rivalry when both of these tennis players who are now legends had dominated throughout 2004 in their first ever meeting between the two, until their retirements early in this decade when they teamed up with each other in doubles during the Laver Cup in 2022) was indeed Novak Djokovic in 2023 at the US Open where he won the men's title) & wily old Serbian veteran of Djokovic):

Crusaders Vs Chiefs

New South Wales Waratahs Vs ACT Brumbies

Moana Pasifika Vs Reds

Hurricanes Vs Highlanders

& Western Force Vs Fijian Drua

So that is my 726th blog of the year 2026 (MMXXVI) & my 78th of this year, viva Ukraine.

Sound & Vision: My 77th Blog of the year 2026

Well, welcome to our readers here in New Zealand, & around the world, I'm Whetu Ngapo & you're tuning in to my KiwiAvenger blog here on blogger, but first that I was rewatching an old Super Rugby game from the archives between the Hurricanes & the Blues from back in 2007 (And there were players during that era, including Tana Umaga & Ma'a Nonu featuring for the Canes, while for the Blues they had Doug Howlett & Luke McAlister, but back then there was no goal line dropout, no 50-22, no brake foot legislation (In that Pops still cannot understand why even though he played club level rugby during the old days that the brake foot law did not apply way back then), as well as no Dupont legislation, & no escort runner loophole back in the day (And the dangerous tackles like head on head contact for example weren't strict for such measures like that then), in anticipation to Saturday's game as both sides square off against each other at Eden Park in Auckland during the 3rd to last round of this year's Super Rugby Pacific competition.

And secondly in football (Soccer) related news that the All Whites became the 3rd different country to name their 26 player squad for the World Cup according to our coach of Darren Bazeley as we brought on both survivors from back in 2010 in South Africa, such as our captain Chris Wood (The all-time leading goal scorer for our country who currently plays for Nottingham Forest) & English born Tommy Smith (Who plays in the lower leagues in England, & will not play any single minute of a game during the tournament), but the key inclusions in the team were Matt Garbett, Michael Boxall (Who was the stand in captain when Wood was out through injury), Sarpreet Singh, Marko Stamenic, Liberato Cacace, Kosta Barbarouses (A Greek Kiwi like Leo Bertos who plays for Western Sydney Wanderers), Ryan Thomas (Who plays for a Dutch club), Tyler Bindon (A teammate of Wood ironically at Nottingham Forest), Nando Pijnaker (An Auckland FC (Who is the first New Zealand men's club in history to play in the grand final (They came so close last season after losing to Melbourne City in the semi in just their inaugural season) after their historic 3-0 clean sheet win over Adelaide United in the 2nd leg just to silence the Hindmarsh Stadium crowd in just their 2nd year in the competition in that they'll seek to become the first New Zealand team in a bid to win the A-League Championship) player), Finn Surman, Ben Waine, Eli Just, Francis de Vries (Another one of the Auckland FC players), Jesse Randall (Also another one of the Auckland FC players who'll be heading to Dundee United in the Scottish Premier League next season), Lachlan Bayliss (A Newcastle Jets (Minor premiers this A-League season of 2025-26 who lost in the semi against Sydney FC with New Zealand set to host the A-League grand final for the very first time ever in Auckland between the Black Knights, & the aforementioned Sydney FC at Go Media Stadium in front of a sell out crowd of 28,000 people for which will be a World Cup final like atmosphere) player who was originally from Australia before declaring his allegiance to New Zealand throughout, mainly because of his dad who passed away back in 2018 being from there, & is the least experienced in the squad compared to Wood who is the most experienced player in the team with 88 international caps to his name), Michael Woud (A goalkeeper who plays for the Black Knights who is the 3rd choice goalkeeper in the All Whites side), Alex Paulsen (Who originally was the number 1 goalkeeper), Max Crocombe (Who is expected to be the first choice goalkeeper during the tournament), & Alex Rufer who follows in his famous uncle Wynton's footsteps way back in 1982 in Spain of playing in football/soccer's global showpiece event held in North America.

And thirdly in gaming that I now have all 5 PlayStation 2 rugby games made by EA Sports such as Rugby (That Dad bought it for me on Trade Me, but I had to pay the game as well as the postage & handling like I always do now), Rugby 2004, EA Sports Rugby 2005, EA Sports Rugby 06, & EA Sports Rugby 08 (And then they released Rugby Challenge 4 on the PS4 in 2020, followed by the ill-fated Rugby 25 that came out last year on also both the PS4 & PS5, & Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge 4 on the PS4 had to be released in contrast to the poor showing to the Rugby 25 game where the re-release of the game came out as a tribute to the late great New Zealand rugby player Jonah Lomu (And every team in the JLRC4 game is unlicensed except the late Lomu himself with Rugby 25 grabbing the rights to the national teams such as the All Blacks, the Springboks, the Red Roses men, Les Bleus rugby, the men in Green, the Wallabies, & others like Los Pumas, Scotland, Wales, the Azzurri rugby, the Flying Fijians, & the Brave Blossoms, as well as the Gallagher Prem & Super Rugby Pacific competitions to join Top 14, URC, MLR, & Pro D2 championships) so I can finally relive the glory days, but I managed to play Rugby where the PS2 version is similar to the PC port where there was gameplay where you have to use the directional buttons to move the player, then hold O for sprint, compared to Rugby 2004 & later where you have to move the player with the analog stick while holding down R2 results in a run (And I played as New Zealand against France once with a score line of 17 - 0 at Twickenham in where we should've won the semi way back in 1999, then Australia twice 40 - 0 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in a would be what if meeting of the 1999 final, & 41 - 0 at Stadium Australia in Sydney in the greatest test of the century back in 2000), but the commentators of that Rugby game was the late Bill McLaren (My fave rugby commentator back in the day, until Grant Nisbett took over for me since), & former England & New Zealand international of Hong Kong born Jamie Salmon.

And finally that everything has been going on in the moment on CNN (The far-left wing pro-liberal news channel that both Aunty Tan & Rejean usually watches for which is about stuff in the United States, & Canada, but we get the international version of it on Sky here in New Zealand) that I watched it twice on the 16th of May such as that shocking invasion since 2022 (Well, there were hardly mentions of it when I saw it on that day), then the Iran war with both countries at war such as the US & the Iranians who are trading gunfire at each other even though the Strait of Hormuz remains closed permanently, as well as news relating to that dreadful American leader (Who met that Chinese leader in Beijing recently about the US who could potentially cut ties with Taiwan if China invades them, as well as tariffs as well that sparked a trade war, & probably easing the US sanctions against Chinese companies who are outraged at each other between them in that infamous meeting that did not go to well), & the hantavirus stuff in which people are urged to self isolate at home once they get it, then try to stay away from people from getting close contact, as well as avoiding travel in many areas, & masks will be required to wear if necessary such as in enclosed spaces (And there had been 10 confirmed cases so far of the Andes virus, because it was originally 11, but one of them tested negative due to an inconclusive reading, so they've got to be far more aware of catching it in order to aid them of preventing the spread (And there was a Kiwi who went on that MV Hondius ship who is in Australia under quarantine measures at the moment when Dad told me that before on May 17th).

So that is my 725th blog of the year 2026 (MMXXVI) & my 77th of this year, viva Ukraine.

Burden In My Hand: My 76th Blog of the year 2026

Well, welcome to our readers here in New Zealand, & around the world, I'm Whetu Ngapo & you're tuning in to my KiwiAvenger blog here on blogger, but first the latest in the Football (Soccer) men's World Cup that Mexican football (Soccer) fans who are keen to see the World Cup game at a stadium will likely to miss out as the ticket prices to the upcoming games are set to be high (With co-hosts Mexico due to play their opening match of the tournament against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca, but their country's key game of the tournament will be against Czechia) due to the expensive price, even though that the tickets for these matches are like a luxury price, meaning that they are forced to watch it at a fan zone (Compared to when they hosted their own tournament twice in both 1970 & 1986 (And this year's tournament has claimed by America whose focusing on as the main co-hosts of the tournament), but both the Mexicans & Canadians would even be friendly people to an extent, compared to the Americans who are hostile towards foreigners saying that they want them out of that country if people who are gringos, étrangers, auslaender, or gaikokujin, are likely to be arrested for that certain crimes as Dad who alluded to me before on May 10th during our Mother's Day lunch at Rutland, despite the fact that I'm looking forward of watching the matches on TV due next month in which the whole world will not turn up, mainly due to the boycott about not visiting America, as a result of that dreadful American leader's anti-outsiders policy that already tightened its legislation on people who have foreign faces or even look foreign to them (Along with Denmark with their left wing liberal party that kept foreigners out of the country), just like Nigel Farage's political party called Reform UK (A right wing populist & far-right political party that is UK's fastest growing political party that will combat immigration, then the economy, as well as the National Health Service, & others) winning the local UK elections in which they have got an historic shift in politics that both Labour & the Conservatives have been declining after suffering these losses indeed), or from their homes.

And secondly that I have not been watching the ice hockey lately because of me being used to watching it (Especially with Rejean when he & Aunty Tan were here watching it on ESPN in December last year) because of the playoffs, especially the Canadiens (Who beat the Lightning in the 1st phase of the playoffs) are playing the Sabres in the Eastern Conference semi (And being at that fan zone outside the stadium watching would have to pay per view compared to us watching the rugby on Sky, is free here in New Zealand if they're unable to catch a game).

And thirdly in gaming that Dad showed me to share stuff such as the EA Sports Rugby game is on its way when he bought it, even though I paid it for the game as well as the postage & handling, but my birthday present from him will be the physical copy of the Project Motor Racing PS5 game (And I already got the digital version of it as well), even if it's available or it's not that I'll be getting the money for it (And my 35th birthday is due on June 7th, 2 days after Dad & 3 days before Aunty Tan, so we're having our joint birthday lunch at Thai Villa on that fateful day, but I always say "There he be", thinking that I'm like the late William Shakespeare as Aunty Tan (Who me & Pops have not seen her along with Rejean for 128 days as of May 10th this Mother's Day) once told me about it, just like I always say later, later on, or later then instead of see ya, goodbye or bye). 

And lastly some rugby news straight out of Super Rugby Pacific that the Crusaders remain unbeaten in their fortress at Te Kaha Stadium in Christchurch with a 16 point win over the Blues (Who lost Dalton Papali'i (Who'll join a French club after this season) early in the process due to him being injured again), then the Chiefs who had a superb victory over the Queensland Reds whose chances of victory proved costly in Brisbane (Which hosted Magic Round in the NRL where the Warriors (Who brought back Mitch Barnett who returns from injury with Origin calling just around the corner, but they lost halfback Tanah Boyd for the rest of the season with that certain injury during that game) were able to manhandle the defending premiers the Broncos (Who were without their key players of Payne Haas through injury, & Kotoni Staggs who is suspended for this game) on their home patch at Lang Park just to silence the pro-Broncos crowd who were cheering them on just like the home crowd at Hindmarsh Stadium were silent when Auckland FC won as we marched on through to the final of the A-League, but the Wahs are still trailing behind the top of the table Panthers in terms of the standings), mainly due to the controversial decisions being made by a 2nd year sophomore New Zealand referee of Marcus Playle & his team of officials who had been given a hostile reception by the Reds crowd themselves after the game, as Playle (Who had a refereeing blunder on that occasion as he had butchered it anyway) did not endear himself to the Lang Park crowd on Friday night following the Reds 10 point defeat against the Chiefs for which had been controversial (Including when fans - & players were infuriated on the stroke of half-time when Playle deemed Seru Uru to have been held up, in which he had adjudged to have scored a try himself (Dreadful, absolutely dreadful isn't it? But it had been confirmed the TMO viewed all available angles of the play while reviewing the on-field decision as the television match official identified evidence the ball had been grounded however couldn't find clear & obvious evidence the ball was grounded on or over the try line, that would be necessary to overturn the on-field decision), but there were other controversial refereeing decisions that the Queensland Reds fans did not please, such as Tupou Vaa'i won himself a turnover (Including one of the Queensland Reds player who thought that he wasn't isolated), but he was adjudged to be having been thought that Vaa'i had left his feet, as well as he got cleaned out by a Reds player as there was obviously but clearly a ruck or breakdown I should say being formed where the Queensland Reds crowd who had been aghast as they were getting impatient, then a sin binning offence being handed out against Jeffry To'omaga-Allen for being offside that really upset the home fanatics who were most displeased (And I don't think they're pleased at the moment, oh my word) about it for which the ref's decision to send To'omaga-Allen to the sin bin was a bit tough, moments before Chiefs reserve hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho who came on for Tyrone Thompson had scored his 2nd try, & of course Chiefs skipper Luke Jacobson who thought he was killing the ball should've been penalised first (Well, the first violation is for going off feet (And it was all perfectly fine when Jacobson made that slightly big tackle on Carter Gordon, before the ref didn't see the first offence when the Chiefs captain sealed the ball off, but he rather saw the 2nd offence when Reds centre Josh Flook had been caught for coming in from the side as the Reds were on the wrong end of a 12 - 5 penalty count, oh lord (And the controversy extended well past that), according to the comment from Stan Sport rugby commentator 'Morgs' Turinui (Who also said that "It's a penalty to the Reds") that I literally remember for that the match could've gone either way, but no doubt that Jacobson was going over the top! It's unbelievable that's been missed), in which Playle (Who had been in charge as the referee for the 8th time in Super Rugby Pacific) has had a shocker when he mistakenly awarded the penalty against the Queensland Reds for joining ruck incorrectly (And it's a penalty! But, he's killed the game. Wrong, wrong, it's wrong, the Aussie rugby fans have calmed down a bit, they were absolutely livid, he's killed the game for them), moments prior to Wallace 'Wally' Sititi who scored that try again after he was peeling off the back of the scrum for that really was the ball game (Including the Reds should've been awarded the penalty for a tackle off the ball that was deemed to be a harsh call, against Jacobson who could've got away by being penalised again, this time on Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson (Who is due to become a dad when his wife Renee announced that she was pregnant meaning that a baby is on the way), in which the home team's aficionados were getting restless when they also were in shambles, as they were being frustrated about that certain decision that left themselves off the hook, especially the crowd at Lang Park were unhappy chappies, oh shameless! Maybe that's a slap on the wrist for that. It is such a rip off, it's a shameless ripoff...That's terrible, but you know...I, oh god, I hope they get sued (It's a neat win by the Chiefs, but I'd rather watch the fog final from 20 years ago back in 2006 between the Crusaders & the Hurricanes in another one of these strangest Super Rugby matches ever, going through the fog while the fans hardly see the action coming from the grandstands, in one of the craziest but infamous rugby games to take place in history) that had surely won for the Chiefs in which the Queensland Reds supporters who were left fuming after these calls had been dubious (And volatile as well), meanwhile Marcus Playle (Who had been blamed by the Reds fans who had put him off throughout every time he makes a poor decision) should never referee a Super Rugby Pacific match again, that is disgraceful! (And even the Queensland Reds coach of Les Kiss is not happy, because he is livid at the moment following a certain defeat like that in which the home team had a wretched night at Lang Park (And I mean, that is a disgrace for Super Rugby Pacific, but they'll be serious ramifications, obviously they'll be thousands of Reds fans who are getting pretty filthy), for what was to be the strangest Super Rugby Pacific match ever since the 2023 final between the Chiefs, & the Crusaders in Hamilton (And what was the reaction from the crowd? Well, they're stunned, stunned silence), while Playle's poor but woeful officiating of that match reminds me of Paddy O'Brien, & that infamous so called 'Train wreck' that cost Fiji a certain chance of an upset win in that all important men's Rugby World Cup game against France (Who had produced the shocks of the tournament when they infamously defeated New Zealand in the semi, before the Brighton Miracle took over where Japan upstaged South Africa in one of the greatest upsets at the men's Rugby World Cup of all time back in 2015 (And there's Portugal beating the Fijians in one of the tournament's biggest shocks in 2023, but first there was Uruguay who stunned Fiji in the upsets of the tournament also back in 2019 (Same year that the hosts at the time of Japan who managed to top the pool with all 4 wins (Including both Ireland, & Scotland which were considered upsets) for the first time in history) way back in 1999), as well as the Highlanders who kept their playoff chances alive despite being playing with 14 players not once (Including captain Timoci Tavatavanawai who got sin binned for cynical play such as a professional foul, like a ruck violation, while for Jona Nareki (A winger usually who had started the game at centre for the first time) as he had been given a sin bin, & on report for high contact on a Tahs player named Jack Barrett, before it had been changed it to a 20 minute send off offence that the Highlanders (Who will be without Nareki for a week, along with the Crusaders player of Kurtis MacDonald who is gone for the season with a 4 week ban being handed out by the judiciary, for dangerous play during the Crusaders-Blues clash), especially Jamie Joseph were baffled about the 2 decisions), but twice with a close win over the New South Wales Waratahs featuring that young player who played for the Australia under 20s of winger Sid Harvey who had to snatch a losing bonus by being within less than 7 in Dunedin, & the Hurricanes (Who are without Cam Roigard whose regular season is over with an ankle injury that keeps him out of 3 to 4 weeks, including the first round of the playoffs (And even the best rugby player in the world of Antoine Dupont is smelling blood of sending the French into a frenzy of defeating the AB's, especially with their playbook as part of the defending Six Nations champions France's game plan of winning against them in Christchurch) send their statement of remaining on top of the table following their comprehensive hiding against Moana Pasifika in Auckland with winger Josh Moorby (Well, is he in the frame for AB's selection under coach Dave Rennie, along with Highlander Caleb Tangitau? We'll see) providing the heroics, as he scored 4 tries in a match that made him his standout player of the game honours.

And here are the list of matches taking place in round 13 of this year's Super Rugby Pacific competition

Chiefs Vs Highlanders: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton (Their most recent meeting between the two was in round 2 earlier this year, where the Chiefs secure their eighth straight win over the Highlanders, led by a brace from Samisoni Taukei'aho in the tightest of all matches which was held at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin)

Fijian Drua Vs New South Wales Waratahs: HFC Bank Stadium, Suva (Their last meeting between the two was on February 20th this year during the 2nd round of the Super Rugby Pacific competition, where the New South Wales Waratahs defeated the Fijian Drua 36 – 13, at Allianz Stadium in Sydney as Max Jorgensen was the standout performer, scoring a double to secure the home victory)

Blues Vs Hurricanes: Eden Park, Auckland (The last time both of these sides met was on April 11, this year (Which was during Round 9 of the Super Rugby Pacific season) in Wellington, where the Hurricanes crushed the Blues by 42 points to 19)

& Western Force Vs Reds: HBF Park, Perth (The last time they clashed was during Round 8 of the Super Rugby Pacific championship this year where the Western Force defeated the Queensland Reds 42-19 (Including a hat-trick from Argentinian lock Franco Molina) in their last meeting on April 4, 2026, at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane meaning that the Western Force's season got back on track)

Bye: ACT Brumbies, Crusaders & Moana Pasifika

So that is my 724th blog of the year 2026 (MMXXVI) & my 76th of this year, viva Ukraine.